THE YOGA OF MUSIC INFO PACK

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1 MARCH 30TH - APRIL 2ND THE YOGA OF MUSIC INFO PACK The Yoga of Music ~ Kirtan Getaway Retreat 30th March - 2nd April 2018 Whether you love Kirtan (yoga chant) already or you've heard about it and want to Qind out what the buzz is all about, the Kirtan Getaway Retreat is for you! Come away with the kirtan artists from The Mantra Room for 4 days of great music, beautiful sacred chanting, illuminating yoga wisdom talks, spellbinding vedic storytelling, sunrise meditations, Qireside Kirtan, yoga asana sessions, mauna (spiritual silence), fresh, tasty vegetarian meals and fantastic workshops including sattvic yoga diet and deep yoga relaxation and breathing. Set deep in the unspoiled natural beauty of the countryside surrounding Mt Warning, a land of ancient rainforests, fast Qlowing creeks, waterfalls and incredible views. This is a fantastic opportunity to leave all the stress of daily life behind and immerse yourself in the peace, joy and source of spiritual inspiration that is Kirtan. Kirtan is yoga's most essential and valuable treasure because it nourishes the soul s deepest needs: inner peace, inner happiness, freedom from fear and heartfelt connection with the Supreme Soul and others in spiritual love. Come on this inspiring journey of self discovery, the beneqits will stay with you for the rest of your life.

2 WHAT IS KIRTAN? This retreat is both the perfect introduction to a Kirtan (yoga chanting) practice for an absolute beginner as well as an opportunity for a long time practitioner to dive right in for an incredible, immersive chanting experience. If you ve never tried Kirtan before, here is your opportunity to Qind what you ve been missing out on your whole life! Kirtan is the singing of ancient Vedic mantras, spiritually uplifting songs, prayers and the Sacred Names of the Supreme. Rather than being a type of performance, Kirtan is a journey of self discovery. This ancient yogic practice was traditionally accompanied with Indian instruments. In the hands and voices of contemporary practitioners, Kirtan has been transported beautifully to all cultural and musical styles without losing its genuine spiritual authenticity. Weaving together melody, music and mantra with people responding to the words of the singer, clapping, swaying and sometimes dancing, Kirtan is simultaneously a meditative, exhilarating and fun activity. Our unique retreat features many of Australia s most inspiring Kirtan artists, yogis and lecturers including... Pralad & The Chants Truly one of the world s most gifted musical artists, Pralad combines his exceptional talent with beautiful sacred mantras sung straight from the heart for an experience that will rock your world and touch you the soul. West End Kirtan Collective If you re a regular at the Brisbane Mantra Room, these are the guys n gals you love to chant with. You ll Qind so much wonderful variety within this band, with a number of different kirtan leaders bringing with them so many different styles. The sweet holy names will soar and transport us to a different world.

3 Radha Krishna Das Radha Krishna Das has been a student and practitioner of yoga philosophy and the yoga lifestyle for the past 35 years. His personal spiritual journey began as a teen when he began questioning the cause of the inequalities and suffering that is obvious in the world. The responses he obtained from religious people he inquired from left many more questions than they answered. Looking for a deeper understanding and experience of life, Radha Krishna Das began exploring a variety of philosophies and disciplines such as martial arts, Buddhist teachings and various meditation practices. Due to a serious back injury he also began to practice hatha yoga and gained much beneqit, this sparked his interest and motivated him to look more deeply into this ancient practice. He also took up the study of traditional Chinese medicine and became a qualiqied acupuncturist. In 1978 he had the great fortune to meet his Guru or spiritual teacher, Jagad Guru Siddhaswarupananda Paramahamsa, who kindly introduced him to the unparalleled treasure of the complete yoga system and who expertly guides him in his personal journey of self-discovery. Radha Krishna Das is inspired to share the profound yoga wisdom, teachings and practices with other individuals who can apply them in their own personal lives to optimize their physical, mental and spiritual wellbeing. Plus many more wonderful Kirtan artists, musicians and presenters in a varied program including sunrise meditation, campfire kirtans, harmonium chants, ecstatic dance, rock Kirtan and more...

4 SUNRISE MEDITATION Discover the reason yogis and meditators have risen before sunrise since time immemorial to engage in their meditation practices. Capture the essence of the most amazing time of the day and greet the sun with a beautiful sunrise meditation. Being up early, you will see this ancient, mountainous landscape at its most mystical as clouds swirl towards us from Mt Warning and race up the sides of rugged escarpments. Mt Warning, also known as Wollumbin or cloud catcher is the Qirst place in Australia to see the sun each morning and is culturally of great signiqicance to many Australian Aboriginal tribes who recognise the sun as a source of energy. MAUNA Mauna is the ancient yogic practice of spiritual silence where we learn to control the urge to speak mundane sound, and simultaneously increase the amount of time we spend immersed in sacred sound. Through this practice, we experience a great feeling of freedom and empowerment. We will be practicing mauna in the mornings from rising until breakfast. YOGA ASANAS Our yoga asana classes will be held outdoors whenever possible to harness the inspiration and increased vitality that comes from practicing in a beautiful, natural environment. Our asana teachers are highly trained and will expertly and safely guide you through a sequence of exercises and breathing to oxygenate your body and get your energy Qlowing. MAUNA WATERFALL WALK Spend an afternoon appreciating your connection with nature and to the Source of the natural beauty around you. By practicing mauna (spiritual silence) as you walk through the rainforest you will have the opportunity to connect more deeply with your inner world. You will also enjoy a tranquil Kirtan by the waterfall.

5 DEEP PEACE RELAXATION WORKSHOP Be gently guided through 40 minutes of blissful shavasana (yoga relaxation), relaxing pranayama (yogic breathing) and a peaceful focused listening practice. You will feel refreshed and wonderful after this workshop. WORKSHOPS You will love our incredible selection of workshops on offer, all personally designed and taught by our creative team of yoga asana teachers, yoga philosophy teachers and talented vegetarian chefs to give you the best experience and maximum beneqit. CHECK IN/CHECK OUT Check in around 1 pm Friday 29th Sep. Check out after lunch Monday 2nd Oct. GETTING TO THE RETREAT The retreat address is 783 Tyalgum Creek Road, Tyalgum Creek NSW 2484 Tyalgum can be reached from the coast via Murwillumbah or from the north through Chillingham and the Numinbah Valley - both are beautiful scenic drives. We are 30 km or 25 minutes from Murwillumbah. The drive from the Gold Coast Airport takes about an hour. From Tyalgum take Tyalgum Creek Road (runs between the Tyalgum Hotel and the service station) for 9kms. The last kilometre is a good quality gravel road. The retreat is the last property (no. 783) at the end of the road. ARRIVAL Check in opens at 1 pm on Friday 30th March. We will greet you with a welcome gift and show you to your room, you may like to have a cup of herbal tea or take a short walk through the beautiful countryside. The group welcome and retreat orientation is at 2.30 pm. If you can t make it in time for the welcome and orientation, please let us know and we ll organise a second orientation for later in the evening. The orientation contains important practices and information that you ll need to be able to Qlow smoothly through the activities on the second day.

6 HEALTHY BALANCED VEGETARIAN MEALS Your meals will be deliciously healthy, balanced vegetarian meals all lovingly prepared by our dedicated catering team who cook according to sattvic, yoga principles. We can accommodate most special dietary requirements such as gluten free, vegan, dairy free, etc., just ask when booking. With three hearty meals a day, we can promise that you will be well fed, yet you ll also feel light and energised because you will be cutting out meat, Qish, eggs and alcohol. Our friendly, knowledgeable cooks will be happy to help with recipes and ideas to help you maintain your healthy, balanced lifestyle once you head back home. * We will also be catering for vegan and gluten free diets. You will be kept well hydrated with blue light Qiltered mountain spring water and a selection of herbal teas available throughout the day. In order to maintain a harmonious spiritual atmosphere and create an environment conducive for personal growth, the retreat is drug and alcohol free. ACCOMMODATION Experience nature at her very Qinest without leaving behind your creature comforts. Surrounded by no less than three spectacular World Heritage National Parks, and in full view of majestic Mt Warning, your retreat venue is a secluded haven of peace and tranquillity. You are only 45 minutes from the Gold Coast but you ll feel a million miles away from the noise and distraction of busy coastal resorts. The retreat venue is a purpose built, all weather conference centre constructed over three spacious levels with accommodation, dining and workshop facilities all under one roof and surrounded by scenic farm land, wide open grassy Qields and wild rainforest. Our friendly, furry neighbours include alpacas, miniature cows, donkeys and goats. TWIN SHARE ACCOMMODATION $420 PER PERSON Comfortable, private en suite rooms with a combination of single and double beds. Wake to birdsong and fresh country air each morning. These rooms are suitable for two people (bring a friend) or a couple. Bring your own sheets or we can hire you a set for $20 extra. There are only 10 twin share rooms so get in quickly! LUXURY GLAMPING TENTS SINGLE/DOUBLE $500 PER PERSON (2 ppl per tent) Glamping tents are unique 100% cotton tents, perfect for the Australian climate with some very unique aspects, like mesh lining on the windows and the ability to unzip the groundsheet from the tipi to allow the breeze to Qlow through your tent whenever you choose. They are 100% waterproof, cool in summer and warm in winter. With the unique single pole teepie style design, they are perfect for your glamping experience!

7 4 SHARE ROOMS $350 PER PERSON Four people share each en suited room. The rooms contain four bunk beds and two single beds, so there is plenty of room. Book with your own group of four friends and spend a wonderful kirtan getaway together or share a room and meet three new friends. Lifelong friends are made at this retreat. Bring your own sheets or we can hire a set for you for $20 extra. Pillows and blankets are provided. The dorms are either all male or all female. CAMPING $310 PER PERSON Beautiful level camp sites on a manicured grassy lawn with spectacular views of Mt Warning. Camp sites are unpowered and you will need to bring all of your own camping equipment. SAMPLE PROGRAM 6.30am 7.00am 8.00am 9.30am 10.15am 11.00am 11.30am 12.00am 1.00pm 4.00pm 4.45pm 5.30pm 5.45pm 7.00pm 9.00pm Sunrise Meditation Yoga Asana Class in Beautiful Outdoor Environment Breakfast Kirtan Spiritual Wisdom Talk Kirtan Mantra Workshop Lunch Rest or option for mauna waterfall walk or one of our workshops (a different ones to choose from each day) Kirtan Mindfulness Kirtan Dinner Bonfire Kirtan/Vedic Storytelling Deep Peace Workshop

8 YOUR HOSTS We are Radha Krishna das, Gayatri dasi, Madya Lila dasi and Yasi, we have all been trained in an authentic wholistic yoga tradition by the most highly qualiqied teachers. We have been hosting hugely popular retreats for decades and between us we have a wealth of experience enabling us to provide you with an incredible retreat program with the perfect balance of kirtan, philosophy, meditation, yoga asanas, dance, rest, recreation and fantastic food to keep you comfortable, happy and well fed. We look forward to meeting you and spending an amazing weekend with you. FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS Will the retreat be suitable for me if I have no experience with kirtan, meditation and yoga asanas? Yes, the retreat is suitable for everyone and will be a wonderful introduction to kirtan, meditation and yoga. What kind of yoga do you teach? Our yoga asana classes are traditional hatha yoga with particular emphasis on gently guiding students through a sequence of postures with breath. Whenever possible, we will be practicing outdoors in the pristine natural environment, giving you the opportunity to harness the energy of the fresh, morning air and sunlight. You will always be encouraged to practice according to your own comfort levels and personal ability and we ll modify poses to Qind a variation that works for you. You ll feel deeply energised and yet totally relaxed and ready for a wonderful day. BYO yoga mats. What should I bring? Warm, comfortable clothing that allows free movement for daily yoga asana classes Warm doona for the bed. There are blankets on the beds but it s nice to have extra warmth & comfort, as the nights can be quite nippy at that time of year. Yoga mat, water bottle, tea cup Insect repellent for outdoor activities Warm wrap or jacket for the evenings and sunrise meditations plus warm socks in case of cool weather

9 Bath towel, toiletries, shampoo, toothpaste, medication and hairdryer if you like to use one. Walking shoes Pool towel, swimmers, sunscreen if you plan to use the saltwater swimming pool Will there be tea and coffee available? Sorry no - the retreat is a caffeine free environment but we will serve plenty of herbal tea and pots of freshly brewed caffeine free chai. If you require coffee or tea you can bring a personal supply and keep it in your room, however please be aware there may be people at the retreat taking a break from caffeine. We encourage you to prepare for the retreat by gradually reducing the amount of intoxicants and stimulants in your system. What about cigarettes? We are endeavouring to create a clean, drug free environment but we do understand that everyone s situation is different and if necessary, you can always take a quiet walk away from others if you need a cigarette. We absolutely cannot have illegal drugs on the premises. Can I attend as a day visitor? Yes you can come each day, just one or half a day. Please see website for costs. Can children attend the retreat? This retreat program is aimed towards adults, it is not suitable for children. Can I bring my own musical instrument? Yes, if you like to play music, this retreat will be perfect for you. Just let us know what instrument you are bringing when you are booking. PLEASE CONTACT US WITH ANY QUESTIONS Gayatri: brisbane@asmy.org.au Yasi: yasi@asmy.org.au

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